You’re unique – dare to live your own life!

It’s snowing. Raise your eyes from the screen and look up at the sky. Millions of snowflakes make their way to the ground. It’s so beautiful! This beauty is given by the show in the sky, but also by the scenery formed in front of our eyes. An image so simple, but so suggestive of what happens with our lives. Billions and billions of people are born on earth, live in a place and for a limited period of time, mingling with others like snowflakes.

Maybe there are moments when you ask yourself what is the purpose of your life and maybe sometimes you can’t find a satisfactory answer, but remember the snowflakes. Not even two of them are alike. The same happens with us. We all are different! Each of us is unique in the way we express ourselves, the way we react, in our personality, thoughts, feelings. You are unique! There is no one in this world who can replace you. Do you understand that your place is yours with a purpose? If you could see all the people who have ever lived on this earth, you would not be able to find two people alike, two identical lives.

To be unique means to be aware that this world would’ve been different if you were not born. Your parents would’ve lived differently, the people you've been interacting with so far would’ve been different without knowing you. If you were not in this world, a small part of it would have looked differently. With each of us - our small group of friends, our team at work, family, church members, the society is changing. We bring our unique contribution to what life means as a whole, and when life ends for any of us, the world is deprived. Can you understand how valuable you are?

The Bible speaks of the prophet Jeremiah, to whom God said the following impressive words: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). What is the message here? That even before our birth, God had a plan for us. A plan that highlights our uniqueness. Uniqueness means value. A value that comes from the greatness of the One who created us. You are a masterpiece of the Artist. When it was time to choose a pattern for His creation, He chose Himself: "So God created man in His own image; the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:27).

Are you ready to start appreciating your uniqueness? Your character, beliefs, values, attitudes and abilities make you unparalleled. Live your life as if it’s a masterpiece, not a cheap copy. Also, look at the people around you with the same perspective! When you see others as a masterpiece you will rediscover what respect, acceptance, empathy and love mean.

Understanding uniqueness means being different! Do not be afraid to stand out by doing unique things! Sometimes, being different has a negative connotation, it gives the impression that you are against the system, against the majority, against the tendencies and this is the reason why herd mentality brings us in a constant endeavor to conform, to be like all the rest. But to be unique and different means courage, it means taking risks within the bounds of ethics and morality.

It started snowing again... this time too, the snowflakes are different. Watch them carefully. There are many, but they are unique! We are many, but we are unique!

Youth Alive is a program designed to build resilience among teens and young adults by equipping them to make healthy choices. Through the Youth Alive Program teens can better understand their gifts and their purpose.